You don’t want to be seeing red on a red-eye flight.
A bad airport experience can set your trip off on the wrong foot or ruin the relaxation you acquired on your vacation, so choosing the right location for a late-night flight is ultra important.
To save you from turning the red-eye into a teary-eyed experience, travel expert Gilbert Ott is sharing both the best and worst airports for those take-offs.
“People shouldn’t hate on red-eyes — I think they can be really cool,” the guru told Business Insider. “But you don’t want to show up haggard.”
If you have a late flight, Ott advises you avoid Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The expert alleged that while the Georgia airport is the biggest in the country, it mostly serves fast-food which doesn’t typically help you to feel great getting off a plane in the morning.
“Atlanta’s food options are weak,” he said. “It’s very fast-food-oriented.”
Meanwhile, if you’ve gone international, Ott suggests steering clearing of London Heathrow Airport for a red-eye flight because it’s tough to navigate.
“There aren’t many of them, but it’s just a long grinding airport — everything is disjointed,” he said.
Instead, the travel blogger recommends LAX, specifically noting that the Los Angeles airport has many healthy food options.
“I don’t want to eat greasy fast food before I hop on a plane for six hours,” he explained. “I like a place that has a [salad restaurant], a sushi kiosk, poke bowls, or anything that’s a little bit lighter and easier to manage.”
New York also appeared on Ott’s list of good food options.
He named John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as another good option with restaurant choices and lounges.
“They’ve done a good job of courting in a few decent restaurants,” he said. “They have lots of lounges and there are lots of ways you can access the lounges.”
“All of these spaces do a better job than fast food,” he added.
What you consume affects your energy levels as you try to align your body with the time zone you’ve landed in. Some compounds are digested differently in higher elevations, meaning that the foods you eat before or during a flight should be chosen with extra care.
“Most red-eyes involve jet lag because you’re usually crossing a time zone, which is the reason for the red-eye,” Ott said. “I try to eat before I fly on a red-eye because sleeping on the plane is vital. You want to try to get all the Zs you can.”
“That’s a game changer because then you can eat before you fly and get all the rest you need,” he said. “And when you get on the plane, it’s just about maximizing the rest.”
But it’s not just what you eat before your flight that matters, scientists have found that eating a big breakfast once you land can help you avoid jet lag.
